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Tags: Beijing, Beijing Architecture, Gallery, Olympic Village, Photographs, photos, pics, Qianmen, Sunset, The Great Wall of China, Tiananmen Square
Beijing, the bustling metropolis that is also the capital of China, is a huge tourist draw as well. Though one would think Beijing is the largest city in China, it is not; the largest city by population in China is Shanghai. Despite not being the most populous city, Beijing is known for its importance in politics, education, tourism, food(beijing roast duck and chinese green tea), and cultural pursuits. When in the exotic eastern city of Beijing, there are literally a million things to do; knowing how to spend your time will allow you to see the best that Beijing has to offer.
Tags: >Attractions, Beijing, famous, top ten, tourist, Travel, visit
Beijing, the capital city of China, and the country as a whole, is becoming a fast becoming a influential player on the world stage. Driven by capitalism and a booming economy Beijing’s skyline is changing at a blinding pace. Home to seventeen million people (as of 2007), Beijing has had to modernize to meet the demands of an ever growing population; in that growth, the city has become an important business and cultural center.
Such rapid change has brought prosperity and hope to the people of Beijing. But amongst its shiny new high-rise office blocks and shopping centers remains a part of Beijing that gives Beijing its distinct and very special character – Old Beijing. Beijing is a city steeped in history and parts of the original Ming-dynasty conception of the city can still be found today. From the breath-taking buildings of the Forbidden Palace to the charm of the old Hutongs, it is imperative that any visit to Beijing includes Old Beijing as part of the trip.
The contrast between old Beijing and new Beijing is really what makes Beijing a fantastic place to visit. It is a capital city like no other and very few places can match its credentials as a place for shopping, food, history and culture.
Cultural and art enthusiasts will have one heck of a time, should they decide to visit the 798 Art Zone in Beijing’s Chaoyang district. The area is also referred to as the Dashanzi Art District; It is comprised of interesting architecture and has been compared to artsy neighborhoods in New York City, such as SoHo. The unique architecture is due to the fact that it is comprised of factory buildings; in fact, this is where it gets its name, for factory 798. Visiting this one-of-a-kind place while in Beijing will be the highlight of a creative person’s vacation.
The area’s rebirth as an artistic haven began when Avant-garde artists, evicted from their homes, set up shop near the area. When the city of Beijing’s Central Academy for Fine Arts needed workshop space, they too set up shop in the area; they chose the then abandoned Factory 706. More artists started flocking to the area and before you knew it, 798 Art Zone was born.
Due to gentrification and high rent prices, it is extremely expensive to live and work in the area now. In addition, urban sprawl has led to a possibility that the area will be destroyed, so see it while you have the chance. If you do get the chance to see the area, stop by the galleries and see the exhibitions; many notable exhibitions occur in the 798 Art Zone, so you never know what you’ll get to see.
The 798 Art Zone is a marvelous place to stop if you are an art buff or fan. The striking balance of old factories and modern art is somehow perfect. To be wowed, make sure it is on your list of things to do in Beijing.
Tags: 798 Art Zone, Chaoyang District
Visiting the metropolis that is Beijing enables visitors to witness some spectacular sights. One can see thousand-year-old temples and grand, ancient palaces; along with these sites, visitors can see historic locations that have a more modern significance. One place that is a must-see on any Beijing itinerary is Tiananmen Square, located in the center of the bustling city.
The square covers an area that is over 100 acres; it is this size that makes it the biggest urban square on the planet. This site has both ancient and modern significance; the gate was built in the 1400s during the Ming Dynasty. The original beginning of the square was in the mid-1600s. Finally, it was modernized and cemented in the late 1950s.
Tiananmen Square holds modern historic significance because of several events that occurred in the 20th Century. The allied army held a victory march after occupying Beijing at the start of the 20th century, while other notable events include the May Fourth Movement and the December 9th Movement. Mao Zedong announced the formation of the People’s Republic of China here in October of 1949. Another event, a massacre of protesters occurred in the square in 1989, which received world-wide attention.
Today, if one visits, you can see the National Museum of China, which sits along the east side of the square. A monument to the People’s Heroes can be seen as well; one other notable feature today is the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong. For world history like no other, visit Beijing and see Tiananmen Square.
Tags: Tiananmen Square
Wangfujing Street, located in the Dongcheng district, is Beijing’s most famous shopping area. Since most of the road is closed off to vehicles, you should come prepared to walk. Shopping in this street has been going on since the time of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). A downtown area of Beijing, Wangfujing is close to hotels and has many shops to accommodate your needs; this is the perfect place for a Chinese shopping excursion.
Famous for its nightly market, western visitors will want to take a stroll through Snack Street. Here, you can find delicacies from all over China. Other interesting fare, not usually eaten by Western people, is also available for exploration by brave visitors. If that does not seem like the thing for you, try the plentiful array of different shops; shopping ‘til you drop is a possibility here. This district has been compared with the famous shopping areas of Western cities, such as Paris and New York, so expect it to be great.
The site is not just a drab shopping zone, either; it is dotted with décor. Sculptures, fountains, plazas, and traditional Chinese architecture dot the premises. Gorgeous ornamental columns and pretty flowers also make up the décor of the area. One particularly nice part is the Oriental Plaza, which has world class shopping, culinary treats, and recreation galore. It has a cinema, a gym, cultural center, and even an ice skating rink; visitors will not run out of things to do at Wangfujing.
Tags: WangFuJing
Chongwen, has a population of about 500,000. With so much activity, you can be sure that when visiting this southeastern district will you will be afforded a multitude of amusement opportunities. Chongwen is home to some of China’s most beloved sites and tourist areas; history, culture, and fun can be found in the streets of Chongwen district.
The district happens to be one of the smaller districts, at only sixteen and a half square kilometers. In that space, there are a wide variety of activities and amusements that will allow a visitor to experience the realness that China has to offer. While in Chongwen, visiting these sites will offer you a glimpse of China you can only see in the Chongwen district. One such site is the Beijing Museum of Natural History, which traces the history and evolution processes of the last 400 million years. For one-of-a-kind historical sites, Beijing is number one.
One of the more interesting aspects of visiting China is the plethora of ancient temples in the city and beautiful gardens. One notable temple in Chongwen is the Temple of Heaven. This temple is in the Taoist tradition; construction began in 1406 and lasted until 1420. This was the site where Ming and Qing Dynasty emperors came to pray to Heaven for a good harvest. This gorgeous temple is a must-see while you visit the Chongwen district of Beijing.
Tags: Chongwen
Xuanwu is home to a population of over 500,000 people, according to a census done in 2000. Variety says it all about this district with many different things to do, see, and even eat. While in Beijing, make the Xuanwu district a stop on your itinerary.
As one of the older districts in the city, this district has a wide array of historically and culturally significant venues for visitor exploration. The oldest street in Beijing is located within Xuanwu district; it is called SanMiaoJie or ‘Three Temple Street.’ At over 900 years old, this is one ancient street! If history is your thing, stop by theTianNing Temple Pagoda, which is the oldest standing building in the city; parts date all the way back to the 4th century AD. Beijing’s hutong lanes are located here and can be viewed by visitors as well.
While in Xuanwu district, don’t forget to stop by Liu Lichang Culture street, which is a shopping street that was returned to its Ming Dynasty imperial style. Many varied and authentic Chinese wares can be found in the myriad shops and stores on Liu Lichang Culture Street. For another historic shopping trip, visit Dashilan Shopping Street. Many more authentic Chinese shops can be found here.
While you visit Beijing, choosing which districts and sites to visit will depend on what you want to see and what you know about each district. Learn more and plan carefully so that you make the most of your trip. Make sure a stop in Xuanwu district is on your list.
With a population of over 500,000 (based on a 2000 census), Dongcheng district is the second largest district within the old city region. Covering over 24 km, the district is the home of many of China’s most famous tourist, historical, and shopping areas. Dongcheng district is definitely a place to put on your itinerary for any Beijing vacation.
Dongcheng district has quite a bit to offer culturally. The Forbidden City is located in the district; it is the former home of the Chinese Emperor. It was built from 1406 to1420 and consists of nearly 1000 rooms. The Temple of Confucius, the second largest Confucian temple in the country, is also found within the borders of the Dongcheng district. Tiananmen Square, the site where Moa Zedong announced the formation of the People’s Republic of China, is another spot that is a must-see when you visit the Dongcheng District.
Another popular destination within the Dongcheng district is the National Museum of China, which houses collections on the art and history of China. The Yuanmou Man remnants, which are dated as far back as 1.7 million years ago, are housed at the museum. Many famous temples besides the Temple of Confucius can be located here as well, including the Lama Temple, Temple of the Earth, and Zhihua Si Temple.
Anyone who visits Beijing will need to stop in Dongcheng District; it has too many attractions to miss! It encompasses some modern Chinese sites, such as Tiananmen Square and ancient sites such as the Forbidden City. No matter what kind of trip you are looking to have, there is something for you in Dongcheng District.
Tags: Beijing, China, Dongcheng District, history, Trip
One of the main attractions for visitors to China is the Great Wall. Many people ask how long is the great wall of China? It stretches over a vast 6,700 kilometer/4,163 mile distance. The terrain this wall traverses covers a wide variety of topographical and climatic features. As far as tourist attractions go, this one is a wonder; the scenery, which encompasses desert, grassland, and mountainous vistas are enough to attract most people. The history is just another facet that helps draw over a million tourists each and every year.
It was during the Warring States Period, around the 5th century B.C. to 221 B.C., states, including Qi, Yan, and Zhao built massive fortifications to protect their borders; these were mostly made of compressed earth. In 221 B.C., Qin Shi Huang conquered all the states and destroyed the barriers that separated his lands. He also ordered new walls to be built to connect to the remaining fortifications to protect against outside invaders. Since builder used mostly local materials, many areas contained earth while others contained stones from surrounding mountains. Most of the original wall eroded over time; very few sections are still standing today.
Later, during the Mind Dynasty, more walls were added, this time, made of brick, to keep nomadic attackers out. The Ming Dynasty expended a lot to keep the walls fortified; they also repaired and restored older sections of the original walls. This was also done when Mongols were raiding; they took particular care to guard the capital of Beijing. The construction on the Great Wall ended when the Manchus took over and formed the Qing Dynasty, which also included Mongolia.
Depending on what attracts you, you may be drawn to different sections of the Great Wall. If your interest includes seeing a relatively non-commercialized part of the Great Wall, you should visit Simiatai. This area is about 110 km or about seventy miles from Beijing; here the Wall remains in its original state mostly due to its more remote location.
For visitors, knowing where to go is an important part of seeing the Great Wall of China. If you plan on being near Beijing, there are many popular sections to visit. The most notable include: Badaling, which is often a tourist hotspot, Mutianyu, which is known for gorgeous vistas in the fall and winter, and Jinshanling, which is more remote, with less crowds, and is known for being undeveloped.
The Great Wall is an amazing place to visit; It was voted one of the new 7 wonders of the world by over 100 million people worldwide on 07/07/07. Incredible history fused with spectacular scenery amidst the exotic atmosphere that is China is what one can expect from a Great Wall visit. For incredible memories, plan your visit today!
Tags: Beijing, China, history, The Great Wall of China, wonders of the world